car accident to colostomy then ileostomy

I am 25yrs old and i had an accident on 15 march 2013. Due to my severe internal injuries, surgeon has removed half of my colon and half of the small intestines. I ended up with a colostomy and a stay in ICU. Already encountered 5 doctors telling me that I am lucky to be alive.

On 3 July the same year i had my reversal surgery and everything seems to go well until i started having blood in my stool on the forth day of my post op. and blood started to come out from my reversed stoma opening which smell so terrible that i couldnt even sleep. Next day after my surgeon can for a check up, i was put on the operation table for the 3rd time where a 7hours operation tool place to remove the leaking and infected colon and i ended up with an ileostomy.

I am in the midst of recovery and i am very depress with the upcoming reversal surgery. not knowing what is the success rate that the operation will go well and i am hear to get some advice from you. Please help..

I see that you've been through alot too. I hope you are fully recovered right now. Is so hard to go through all this actually.

Doctor was shocked to see i had such complication after the reversal surgery as he mentioned that i am young and healthy with no diabetes and high blood pressure.

My wonderful parents are taking care of me since March. Especially my mom, she is the best nurse ever! As i suffer severe skin rashes around my stoma that stings everytime I apply Convatec Stoma Paste and she was there to make me strong enough to endure the horrible pain and to hold my tears
Back in the hospital, I've heard too much stressful things from my surgeon on how the operation may go wrong and nothing comforting from him. I was really depressed when I was push into the surgical theater. Since then I am having severe hair loss due to my stress and lack of nutrient. I am now underweight, ugly, another surgery going to take place and have no income for months. I have so much emotions running inside me now... My career has gone down the drain, have to deal with a court case for compensation. Everything is just out of place and all this makes me very upset.

I am trying my best to stay positive and strong infront of my parents as i dont want them to worry but.. deep down i really need some support... Sigh

Yeah indeed i had! My mom is definitely and angel sent from above. Talking bout her makes me emotional. I cant express enough how a great mom she has been. I love her to bits!

I graduated with a Bachelor Degree major in Marketing on year 2011. I am working as a Marketing Exec. for a export company. I was awarded with an Excellent Employee recognition just 5 months servicing this company and i've been performing well throughtout the year until year 2013 where i am given a career enhancement to support overseas market on all MArketing activiities, i met with an accident. I was suppose to go on a business travel to Singapore and INdonesian for market studies and supports.

Definitely can be started up again but i guess it will take a longer time and i've wasted a year of my youth to work my way up.

YOU ARE A FIGHTER TOO.. I DID NOT EXPECT TO MEET SO MANY STRONG FIGHTERS HERE.

I am so thankful that your alive and you do have such a wonderful support group. Your mom does sound like an angel.

I'm so sorry for your accident. Even more so for your leakage and ileostomy. It's so terrible when you are trying to be positive, your a perfect candidate, and things happen. I was there myself. I had a leakage and ended up in the ER a week after my colectomy, waking up with an ileostomy. It took me another month to be released, lost about 40lbs, other issues.

I, like you, made it. And you will too! It will take time to heal emotionally. To grasp it all. I took time out. Did things I haven't done in years, and started new goals. Got rid of the negative influences around me, concentrated on the positives. I was scared that this would define me. It's been 3 years, and happy to say I'm the most spiritual and happiest I've ever been. Things will work out for you, you will see with time!

I'm sorry to hear about your car fears. Easier said than done, but try putting on your favorite music, being a passenger you can read a book or magazine, do things to filter those ill thoughts.

I had a disease that my colon needed to be removed. I was a perfect candidate for an immediate connection from small to rectum. I had a leakage and went downhill from there. Answering your question about body image, it was extremely difficult. And I think I perceive myself as being strong. I was under 100 lbs, malnourished, ghost-like when I was discharged. Friends called me unrecognizable. I also had my abdominal incision bleed in the hospital, so it was open. It closed up after 2 months. Mentally, the incision was worse than the ostomy. I really didn't know if I was going to ever surpass this. I have 2 kids, and I don't have 1 stretch mark, varicose vain.....then this. Mirrors weren't my friend. I cried everyday for 6 months, cried almost every ostomy change for a year.

After my 1st week home, I forced myself to eat every 3 hours. Consisted of only 2/3 tablespoons of soup, but a start. After every meal, drank a bottle of Ensure for weight gain. After a week, I gained 7lbs. Eat in moderation, it will take time in regaining. For me, about 7 months.

As for the scars, it's not a walk in the park. But you can have them fixed with the next surgery. You can have a plastic surgeon present (your expense). With time, you will not perceive yourself as being disfigured, you will feel normal. It's amazing how the brain, with time, comforts itself with acceptance. For your hair loss, ask your PCP if you can take biotin. I lost about 2/3's for 3 weeks until I started taking it.

I'm single too. During my divorce obstacle, took years to feel like a normal woman again. Not as being a single mother, divorce...but a person. Then the surgery that left my mind, body, spirit tampered. There is a light at the end. As long as you are confident, and you will get there, people will be honored/humbled in getting to know you.

Don't know when your next surgery is, I'm sure you will need to recover for a few months. What is your surgeon's plans? You developed an infection, how (staff/Mersa) and will that happen again? What methods can the surgeon do differently next time around for prevention?

Survivor - You have certainly gone through sooo much, I feel for you. As for your career, you are still young and you and still be the young star when you get better!! I can't believe you are having to deal with a court case while you feel so crappy :(. Have you tried drinking weight gainer shakes to gain some weight? Don't listen to those people saying you look good...you know how you feel and how you want to be.

I recently had four...oh wait five surgeries in a short time. I'm on IV nutrition because my loop ileo is so high in my intestines. My hair is falling out. I have a long recovery and my career has ground to a halt as well (I'm 31). I sooo miss my favorite hobbies. I have another surgery in a few months. I can sympathize so know that you are NOT alone out there. We were dealt crappy hands for awhile but things will get better!

Update on my healing process. I am done with all my surgeries... has been a while over a year now... 5 surgeries done and now with lose skin and very ugly scars as most of my incisions were left expose due to infections... now i am having my court case and most likely i will go for reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries. Now, i am quite worry about these surgeries wondering if it will affect my intestines... just worry bout infections..

It's inspiring to read your story and everything you've been through. What an unbelievably strong person you are.

Is the concern about the infections during another sugery just due to your experience in the past? Surely everything is healed now from before?

Best of luck to you with the court case and the reconstructive surgeries. Please keep us updated!